A Beacon of Hope in a Castle of Ice.

Kryptonits (part3)

POV: BLAKE BELLADONNA

"Ummm, and why do you want to know tips to fighting Yang?" Ruby looks at me with a questioning look in those adorable, silver eyes of hers.

"Does it matter? It's me we're talking about. And if you don't tell me then you won't be able to have that lunch with Weiss." I look down at the crimson-haired youngling. Given the situation she has no time or leverage to negotiate with me. She needs my food for herself and Weiss, and she is telling this information to her sister's partner and roommate: someone who has no reason to do any wrong by Yang.

"Okay, okay. Fine, but you didn't hear any of these from me!"
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I look over my shoulder at Yang who looks completely shocked that I am behind her. She completely forgot the duplicating ability of my semblance. I slowly turn around, entering my Muay Thai stance once again. I want this fight to end. I hate hurting Yang, but she keeps coming at me in a way that I need to counterattack, instead of letting her semblance drain her down low enough that Pyrrha will be forced to call the match. I wanted this to be painless on her, but that's not happening. As Yang turns around, limping on that left leg I feel a portion of myself break in half.
I did that to her. I'm sorry, Yang. I truly am.
Yang's earlier attack with Ember Celica would have had me if I did not use my semblance to make a clone to eat the blast and grant me the debris to be able to sneak behind her. I wasn't expecting her to use her weapons at that time, but I guess I am pushing her to the point of abandoning her normal style of fighting. She's doubting herself, and that's not what my goal is.

"What are you really getting out of this, Blake?" She asks, staring at me with a glare of realization. Her arms are dropped down to her sides. I want to strike now, but my fight etiquette not allowing me to do so. I maintain my stance while I respond to her.

"I want you to get stronger, Yang. You won't be able to be a successful huntress if you can't even keep up with me." It's only a half truth.

"So why tell me my weaknesses during our fight instead of afterwards?"

"Mind games."

Yang looks down, letting out a sigh of clear disappointment. She probably knew that I was doing this to get her angry and off of her game, but her pride is getting the better of her.
"Were you serious about the bet? A full week?" She looks at me with a much firmer look than before. Even when she is losing she still shows all intention of turning this around.
"Yes," is all I am able to say before she is dashing at me again. I try to get a clear look at her face, but when she slows down to throw a punch, her golden mane covers up her face, although I am sure she is able to see just enough to through her strike. I feel the left hook connect to my gut, forcing me to keel over and cough out as the wind is knocked out of me. I have been relying on Ruby's information too much, and now it has caught up to me.
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"Wait, are you serious?"

"Yeah. Whenever Yang fights she thinks she is in a boxing match and never remembers that some people like to kick, especially kick low." Ruby shrugs her shoulders, looking over to her sleeping sister to make sure she doesn't wake up.
"I mean, she did learn how to fight through boxing, so that's understandable, and what was the last one?"

"She has this really bad habit of hers." Ruby sighs, looking over at her sister that is out cold on my bed. "Yang has always been someone to keep her eye on the prize, and when she fights it is no different."
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